Maryland Politics

Beware: Mikulski Funder in Baltimore

2010-03-13T16:18:01Z

Sen. Barbara A. Milkulski is holding a big hometown fundraiser for her 2010 re-election on the Ides of March. The other 12 Democratic women senators are invited guests. Mikulski, first elected to the Senate in 1986, is proud to be known as their dean. Tickets to the March 15 event at the downtown Hilton overlooking Camden Yards go for $500. The VIP reception, a chance to mingle in a more exclusive way ahead of time, costs $1,000 to $2,400 a head. Several hundred people will attend, according to campaign manager Simone Ward. Ward wouldn't say what they expect to clear from the event, but you can do the rough math. Of course, everyone there may not be a paying guest. Then again, some who give are typically no-shows.

Reports: Marylander In Line For Fed Seat

2010-03-12T19:41:29Z

Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation Sarah Bloom Raskin is in line for a seat on the prestigious Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Bank, according to reports out of the White House. The Wall Street Journal reports Friday that Raskin is one of two individuals that the Obama administration is considering for vacancies on the seven member Fed board. The 48-year-old graduate of Amherst College and Harvard Law is expected to be nominated, assuming that she passes a background check, the paper reported. The New York Times also got the story, which gave it the appearance of a targeted leak. Raskin, a lawyer and Takoma Park resident, is married to Democratic State Sen. Jamie Raskin of Montgomery County. Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley appointed her to the state job in August 28, 2007. Prior to that, she worked at a financial services consulting group, as a U.S. Senate Banking aide, when Maryland Democratic Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes chaired the committee, and as a staffer at the Federal Reserve's regional bank in New York. "She combines a sensitivity for community and consumer issues, with an appreciation for the private sector, experience in supervision and a hard-headed academic, practical and thoughtful demeanor," her former boss, Eugene A. Ludwig, chief executive of Promontory Financial Group, was quoted as saying. "She's the ideal pick for this role." Raskin is expected to be nominated with Janet Yellen, president of the Fed Bank of San Francisco, who is Obama's pick for vice chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. Read her official bio here.

Earmark Change Could Hit Pet Projects in Maryland

2010-03-10T21:48:22Z

Maryland employers, particularly those in the defense and aerospace industries, could take a hit from a decision Wednesday by House Democrats to ban corporate earmarks in 2010. In an election-year effort to contest Republicans for the "reform" mantle, Democratic leaders in the House said they won't approve earmarks for corporate entities this year. Earmarks that go to for-profit enterprises are among the most controversial uses of the practice, because of the potential for scandal. Potentially, tens of millions of dollars in federal spending in the state could be affected. The top Democrat and Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee--two of the most prolific earmarkers in Congress--harshly criticized the move, raising questions about the ultimate impact of the House effort. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the change was designed to limit the influence of lobbyists and is part of a broader Democratic effort to end "a culture of corruption" in Washington and increase the transparency of government. The decision could have the effect of also preventing senators from delivering earmarks to corporations, since both houses of Congress must ultimately approve the measures that include money for lawmakers' pet projects. Earmarks are funds set aside for specific projects that circumvent the normal spending process. They have declined in number in recent years and make up only a tiny portion of overall federal spending, but still amount to $15.9 billion in the current fiscal year, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense, a non-profit watchdog group. Most of Maryland's lawmakers in Washington, Democrat and Republican, solicited earmarks over the past year for corporations. The exceptions were Democratic Reps. Steny H. Hoyer, Donna Edwards and Chris Van Hollen, who solicited funds for non-profit or governmental projects only. However, even in many of those cases, private companies were the ultimate beneficiaries. Hoyer, the House Democratic leader, obtained $31.2 million in earmarked defense spending at Maryland installations, for procurement and construction projects. The companies who actually were paid to do the work were not disclosed in the earmark requests posted on Hoyer's official Web site. As part of the House Democratic earmark reform, federal inspectors general will be required to audit five per cent of all earmarks that go to non-profits, to make sure they aren't really destined for corporations. Democratic Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, an influential member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, added nearly $10 million to the 2010 defense spending measure for three of her top campaign donors--executives and political action committees of Northrop Grumman, Thales Communications and L-3 Communications. Republican Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, had $15 million in earmark requests granted, including for Northrop Grumman, one of his largest contributors over the years. “When Democrats assumed the majority of Congress in 2007, we pledged to place people ahead of lobbyists and the public interest before special interests. Over the last three years, we fought to replace a culture of corruption with a new direction of transparency and accountability, including earmark reforms in the last Congress. “Today’s proposal totally bans corporate earmarks – critical reform that addresses concerns that many Americans have. It ensures that for-profit companies no longer reap the rewards of congressional earmarks and limits the influence of lobbyists on Members of Congress. This ban will ensure good stewardship of taxpayer dollars by the federal government across all agencies. “To prevent any conflicts of interest, this initiative will empower the Defense Department – not Members of Congress – to choose which businesses and projects will receive funding. It will open the doors of the Pentagon to small start-ups with no inside connections. It will also require federal agencies to audit 5 percent of all earmarks directed to non-profit entities, to help ensure that non-profit earmarks go for their intended purpose. “This measure builds on a record that began on the first day of the 110th Congress, when we passed the toughest ethics reform in a generation. The House created an independent ethics panel to fundamentally change how we investigate ourselves. We required that every earmark be listed online, next to the name of the Member who requested it. And the landmark Honest Leadership and Open Government Act demanded an unprecedented level of disclosure, closed the revolving between the Capitol and K Street, banned gifts from lobbyists and limited privately-funded travel. Previous Republican Congresses had years to act on these reforms. This New Direction Congress is actually implementing them.” “Thanks to the leadership of Chairman Obey and Chairman Dicks, this Congress is continuing to uphold our pledge to bring honesty back to government.” Here is the response by Democratic Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee: “I don’t believe this policy or ceding authority to the Executive Branch on any spending decision is in the best interests of the Congress or the American people. In my view, it does not make sense to discriminate against for-profit organizations. I am not sure why we should treat for-profit earmarks any differently than non-profit earmarks. “All of our for-profit earmarks are already subject to competition. What is the rationale to eliminate them? All earmarks are also subject to the strict transparency rules that were implemented at the beginning of last year, including a single location on the Committee website that links to a list of every Senator’s earmark requests. I would also note that all Senators file statements declaring that they and their immediate families have no financial stake in any earmark request. “By increasing the transparency and reporting requirements we have erased the impropriety that could have existed when these matters were done in private. If mistakes were made by House members in the past, the new transparency rules eliminate that potential. “Moreover, I am troubled by what this policy insinuates. It seems to suggest that for-profit entities are corrupt and non-profit entities are above reproach. “The truth of the matter is that many, if not most, for-profit and non-profit entities lobby for themselves or employ lobbyists. That is how most of them make the Congress aware of their products and services. It is no secret that these meetings take place. In addition, it is no secret that many of these individuals make political contributions. All lobbyists file disclosure reports. These contributions are all fully disclosed and available for all to see on the Internet. “I find the House Appropriations Committee’s recommendation quizzical. For example, I would note in the House’s Fact Sheet on earmarks it criticizes the explosion of earmarks in the Labor-HHS, Commerce, and Transportation bills, among others, but fails to point out that virtually all of this earmark growth came in the non-profit sector. Eliminating for-profit earmarks won’t address the growth areas that the House has criticized. “I would conclude by pointing out that for-profit earmarks have met with some outstanding results. Here is one example. We are all proud of the success of the Predator drone. This program was a direct result of a Congressional earmark directed to a for-profit company. The initiative was put into a defense appropriations bill as a Congressional initiative. It was not an initiative from the Executive Branch. If the House’s proposed policy had been in effect at that time, we would not have the Predator today.” Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi, the senior Republican on the Senate Appropriations panel added: “Congress cannot ignore its constitutional responsibilities to approve the allocation of federal funds. I will continue to work with Chairman Inouye to ensure that the bills reported by the Senate Appropriations Committee are prepared in a transparent manner, conform to federal laws and only approve spending that is in the national interest.” ]]>

Return of the death penalty debate

2010-03-10T21:10:06Z

Five months after enacting tight restrictions on Maryland's seldom-used capital punishment statute, state lawmakers are considering another revision. Senators dismissed a total repeal of the death penalty last year in favor of a hastily crafted compromise plan. The new law means that prosecutors can only seek the death penalty in murder cases where there is DNA evidence, a video-recording of the crime or a video-taped confession from the killer. It appears that just one prosecutor has filed capital charges since the statute took effect Oct. 1: Wicomico County State's Attorney Davis R. Ruark is seeking it in the case of James Leggs Jr. A registered sex offender, Leggs is accused of kidnapping and killing 11-year-old Sarah Foxwell days before Christmas. Now, Sen. Norman Stone, a Baltimore County Democrat, wants to add fingerprints and still photographs to the list of evidence that can be used to initiate a capital case. Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott D. Shellenberger testified in favor of the bill today before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, saying "it makes absolutely no sense" to dismiss fingerprints and photographs but allow DNA and video recordings. On the other side of the debate, Katy C. O'Donnell, chief of the state public defenders' aggravated homicide division, which handles capital cases, said lawmakers sent a clear message last year. "We don't want just 'reliable' evidence," she said, "We want evidence with heightened reliability. She and other opponents raised questions about fingerprints, saying that more judges -- even in Baltimore County, where the death penalty has traditionally been used the most -- were dubious of the certainty that fingerprint identification provides. Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, a Democrat, backs Stone's plan, but it is likely to be a tough sell in the House of Delegates. The House committee that would consider the measure favors repealing the death penalty altogether. Five men are on Maryland's death row. The last execution was performed in December 2005. Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, opposes the death penalty. His administration and a committee of many anti-death penalty lawmakers have been reviewing and revising execution protocols for the past few years, effectively instituting a moratorium.

MD Senate acts on unemployment benefits

2010-03-09T22:08:50Z

The Maryland Senate this morning unanimously approved a plan to change unemployment benefits as a way to tap into nearly $127 million in federal stimulus money. Lawmakers worked feverishly with business groups that first opposed the plan because of concerns that it would impose long-term costs on employers. The compromise, which passed the full Senate today with no debate, increases the number of out-of-work Marylanders eligible for benefits by shifting the time period reviewed when calculating claims. But it offsets the estimated $20 million in new costs by reducing other benefits, such as sick claims. A House of Delegates committee is reviewing the compromise plan and could vote on it as soon as this week.

Andy Harris Gets Bartlett Help Despite Term Limit "Insult"

2010-03-08T23:30:30Z

If Andy Harris had his way, Roscoe Bartlett, the only Republican congressman from Maryland, would have been sent packing years ago. He'd be out of the House and, presumably, back at his Frederick farm, raising sheep and dreaming up new scientific inventions. That's because Harris, the Baltimore County state senator aiming to unseat Democratic Rep. Frank Kratovil, is promising, if elected, to introduce a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on members of Congress. On the day he formally announced his 2010 candidacy, Harris stood under a framed photograph of Bartlett at state Republican headquarters in Annapolis and called for a 12-year limit on senators and congressmen. Asked whether he believed the state would be better off if Bartlett had been forced to surrender his House seat, Harris shrugged and said he was confident that western Maryland voters could have found a good replacement. A less forgiving person might have considered that an insult. But if Bartlett is aware of what Harris had to say, he doesn't seem to be taking it personally. Instead, Bartlett is joining two other well-known Maryland Republicans, former Gov. Bob Ehrlich and former gubernatorial nominee Ellen Sauerbrey, in playing host to a $250-a-head fund-raising reception for Harris on Tuesday evening in Baltimore County. Virginia Congressman Eric Cantor, the number two man in the Republican House leadership, is the guest of honor, though it may be tough for him to make the event. Roll-call votes are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. in Washington. Bartlett's attendance, according to his office, is unlikely. issue page online. Academic studies of legislative term limits at the state level have found mixed results. "Few of the most fervent hopes of [supporters] -- or the worst fears of its opponents -- materialized" in California, concluded a 2004 study by respected political scientists. A summary can be found here. In modern times, the main promoters of term limits have been Republicans, since it meshes neatly with the party's anti-government message. It's an easy way to appeal to voters who can't stand what's happening in Washington and are desperate to throw out the bums. Those disgruntled folks are likely to be among the independents that Harris would love to turn out this fall. He's hoping for a rematch against Kratovil in the conservative First District, which spans the Eastern Shore and portions of Baltimore, Anne Arundel and Harford counties. Perhaps the best thing about term limits is that it's almost a no-lose issue for a Republican challenger. It could help Harris capture a seat that he could well hold onto for many years to come. Having just turned 53, he may be on the verge of becoming a long career in Washington. However, Harris is also pledging to impose a 12-year limit on himself as a member of the House. History shows that politicians are often prone to break that promise and rarely get punished by voters when they do. If Harris doesn't know that already, he should talk to veterans in Congress. Bartlett might be one person to ask. When he came to Congress, Bartlett supported term limits. He voted, in 1995, in favor of a constitutional amendment that would have limited House members to 12 years, no strings attached: Once you served six terms, you'd be ineligible for re-election. Period. The measure failed to get enough votes. But there was nothing to prevent those who supported it from living up to the ideal of the citizen legislator who goes to Washington for a time and then goes home, rather than becoming a permanent part of a corrupt political system. Few chose to follow that path. Bartlett has continued to run for re-election, easily moving beyond the 12-year limit that would have termed him out in 2004. Bartlett "has said that unilateral self-imposed term limits put individual members' constituents at a disadvantage under the current seniority-driven rules of the Congress," Lisa Wright, his spokeswoman, wrote in an e-mail. "Of course, every two years, voters have an opportunity to vote on term limits for their representative and every six years for their senator(s)," she added. Of course, voters seldom do anything with that opportunity. During Bartlett's years in Washington, the re-election rate for House incumbents has risen to over 95 percent. Several factors--strong name identification of those already in office, fundraising clout linked to committee assignments, and computerized gerrymandering that protects incumbents of both major parties--combine to give all but the most corrupt politician a virtual lock on a House seat. Bartlett, who turns 84 this spring, is widely regarded as a cinch to win a tenth term in 2010. A victory this fall would earn him an even 20 years as a member of the House. ]]>

Early responders: Firefighters union endorses O'Malley

2010-03-08T21:17:20Z

Early endorsements -- so early that no Republican challenger has yet to announce -- seem to be a trend this year in Maryland's gubernatorial race. Today, the Professional Firefighters of Maryland, which includes more than 7,000 emergency responders, announced its backing of Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat. The election is almost eight months out, but the firefighters aren't the first on the scene. In October, the Maryland State Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, announced its support, and endorsements from the Building Trades group and the Maryland League of Conservation Voters followed in January. Unions traditionally support Democratic candidates, with endorsements and campaign contributions. An array of Democratic elected officials -- everyone from U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski to Frederick City Alderman David Kip Koontz -- have also made clear they'll be stumping for O'Malley this fall. Political observers, including those on O'Malley's campaign, are anticipating a November rematch with former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., the only Republican governor of the Free State since Spiro Agnew in the 1960s. After one term, Ehlich lost to O'Malley in 2006. But a recent analysis says O'Malley is not necessarily "safe" in an Ehrlich rematch. Ehrlich has indicated he'll announce this month whether he'll get in the race. From today's firefighters union endorsement: "Governor O'Malley and Lieutenant Governor Brown have shown that public safety is and will continue to be a top priority for their administration," said Firefighters State President Mike Rund, according to a release from the O'Malley campaign. "This is clearly illustrated by their actions over the last four years, and we're proud to support them for re-election."

Edwards Gets Campaign Post for House Dems

2010-03-08T17:20:32Z

Rep. Donna Edwards of Maryland has been named one of four co-chairs of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's program to win Republican House seats this fall. Talk about a tough assignment. Most GOP seats that were ripe for Democratic picking got plucked in the last two elections. Now the momentum is flowing the other way. Independent analysts expect Republicans to take 20 to 30 Democratic seats this fall, possibly more. Out of 76 congressional seats in play in 2010, only 14 are currently held by Republicans, according to the latest analysis by Stuart Rothenberg, publisher of the non-partisan Rothenberg Political Report. Of course, a Republican seat that goes Democratic (a number that could well be in the low single digits when all the votes are county) would offset a Democratic loss and, conceivably, could make the difference in determining which party controls the House in 2011. Edwards joins Reps. Allyson Schwartz and Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania and Bruce Braley of Iowa as co-chairmen of the DCCC's Red to Blue program for the 2010 cycle. DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen of Maryland (Montgomery County) praised the "talented leadership" of his "battle-tested" Prince George's neighbor in a prepared statement. He said Edwards would "bring that experience and determination to the Red to Blue program." The DCCC also said, in announcing her willingness to join the program that provides financial, strategic and PR assistance to Democratic campaigns, that "Edwards knows what it takes to win tough races and will bring that experience and determination to the Red to Blue program." Edwards does know what it takes to unseat a member of Congress--at least within the Democratic family (she bounced incumbent Democratic Rep. Al Wynn in 2008). She also seems to know how to protect herself. Late last year, Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn Ivey announced that he was planning to challenge Edwards in the Democratic primary this September; then, a few weeks later, he quietly dropped that idea. Edwards may still face a primary challenge, but she is currently considered a strong favorite for re-election.

New analysis of O’Malley campaign says gov not “safe.”

2010-03-07T17:53:39Z

Political analyst Stuart Rothenberg downgraded Gov. Martin O’Malley’s chances for success this fall if pitted against former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich.

Relying on a non-partisan Rasmussen poll that was in the field at end of February, Rothenberg moved O’Malley’s outlook from “Safe” to “Narrow Advantage.”

The Rasmussen poll shows O’Malley, a Democrat, with a six point advantage over Ehrlich, a Republican. Ehrlich won't say if he is running but many expect him to jump into the race later this month.

“O'Malley can no longer be considered safe,” Rothenberg wrote on his blog. “But the burden of proof is still on the Republicans to prove Ehrlich can win in a very Democratic state.”

O’Malley’s campaign Friday sent out a one-page memo describing a slightly sunnier internal poll. That survey gives O'Malley a ten point advantage. It shows that 51 percent of likely voters would pick O’Malley over Ehrlich, who has 41 percent support, according to O’Malley’s figures. Eight percent are undecided. The margin for error is 4.1 percent.

The O’Malley poll is about a week older then the Rasmussen survey – the governor’s pollsters called 604 likely voters from Feb. 10 to Feb. 13.

O’Malley’s campaign also released some demographic figures. They say he’s gained ground in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties since his 2006 match up with Ehrlich. Also he says he running strong with women: 53 percent to 38 percent. Men don’t like him as much, but his number show he has a 47 percent to 45 percent advantage over Ehrlich.

O’Malley campaign manager Tom Russell did say the thinks the survey shows the governor is “in a strong position.” Russell added: “I don’t know that anyone would read it differently.”

The O’Malley campaign wouldn't give any additional information about it, which makes us uncomfortable. We’d like to know how many questions were asked and more about the demographic breakdowns.

And, most importantly, we want to know: How hard are those “support” numbers? Pollsters generally ask give callers the option to say they either “strongly support” or “are leaning toward” a candidate. Then they lump the two categories together.

Unsurprisingly, Ehrlich’s camp (which, again, won’t confirm candidacy) disagrees. “Our polling shows a vastly different landscape in Maryland,” wrote Ehrlich spokesman Henry Fawell. The Ehrlich spokesman also wouldn’t give any more detail about their polling.

As a final note, being viewed as having a in a tight race can have fundraising advantages for both sides, though the current governor can’t fundraise at during the 90-day legislative session.

GOP Robo Calls Target Kratovil on Health Care

2010-03-04T21:30:38Z

Rep. Frank Kratovil, of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, earned the dubious distinction Thursday of becoming the only Maryland congressman to be targeted Republican robo-calls over the health care issue. As President Barack Obama and the Democratic leadership in Congress launch a final push for a sweeping overhaul of the U.S. medical system, Kratovil again finds himself uncomfortably in the spotlight on a major national issue. Republicans have seized on media reports that list Kratovil as a potential flip-flopper on the issue to batter the 41-year-old centrist Democrat with a fresh wave of attacks. In fact, though Kratovil has been widely reported to be among a small group of House Democrats who might change his position, he reiterated this week that he intends to vote against the Democratic legislation that is expected to come before the House later this month. The freshman congressman, a popular target for Republicans since the day he took office last year, is among the most vulnerable House Democrats in the country in 2010 because he won by a razor-thin margin in a largely Republican district in 2008. Kratovil voted against the House version of the health care bill last year and has said he will vote against the Senate version of the bill when it comes back to the House sometime in the next few weeks. That vote is designed to be the first phase of an effort by Obama and the Democrats to push health care legislation through Congress, using a process known as reconciliation that both parties have employed over the years to gain approval of controversial measures with 50 Senate votes, as opposed to a 60-vote supermajority. Kratovil has said he remains open to voting for the reconciliation package, but only if it addresses his concerns--which include the overall cost of the package and the impact on small businesses and rural areas--that led him to oppose the Democratic proposal last year, his spokesman, Kevin Lawlor, said. However, the Marylander is regarded as unlikely to support the follow-up initiative unless it receives broad bipartisan support in Congress. “He’s reserving judgment,” said Lawlor, referring to the reconciliation package that has yet to be written and would first have to clear the Senate. “But he’s not going to vote for anything that looks like the House bill that he voted against.” Lawlor said that the call volume to Kratovil’s Washington office had gone up Thursday after the automated Republican calls went out across the district. “We’ve gotten an awful lot of phone calls, and it’s hard to tell what comes from a paid robo call and what doesn’t,” the Kratovil aide said. “We’ve consistently engaged with our constituents on this issue, and the calls are a good opportunity for us to tell people that he voted “No” on the bill the first time it came through the House. In most cases, callers agree with the actions he’s taken on the issue.” Andy Sere, a spokesman for the National Republican Campaign Committee, said that “thousands of targeted phone calls” were going out to Kratovil’s district, which takes in the entire Eastern Shore and portions of Baltimore, Anne Arundel and Harford counties. He said the national Republican Party's House committee, which is unofficially backing Baltimore County state Sen. Andy Harris’s campaign for the Republican nomination this fall, had not yet begun to air a new round of radio attack ads against Kratovil, as it did last year. The shape of the national Republican campaign against Kratovil “will continue to evolve as things change,” Sere said in an e-mail. Hello I’m calling from the NRCC with a Code Red alert about an impending health care vote in Congress. Even though a majority of the country wants them to scrap it, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Obama are planning to ram their dangerous, out-of-control health care spending bill through Congress anyway. What’s worse, Congressman Frank Kratovil might vote for it. Frank Kratovil votes with Nancy Pelosi 84% of the time and may follow her orders on this bill, too. Frank Kratovil might vote for a bill that will kill jobs, raise the costs of health care, and increase taxes. Frank Kratovil should be focusing on creating jobs, yet he might be the deciding vote that causes this massive new spending bill to pass. Please call Frank Kratovil now at 202-225-5311 before it is too late and tell him to vote "No" on Nancy Pelosi's dangerous health care scheme. Visit www.NRCC.org/CodeRed to learn more. This call was paid for by the National Republican Congressional Committee and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. 202-479-7000. To listen to an audio version of the call, click here. ]]>

Cardin Backs "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal

2010-03-04T20:08:57Z

Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland has signed on to new legislation designed to repeal the ban on gays in the military. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, an independent Democrat, introduced a repeal measure on Wednesday, co-sponsored by a dozen Democrats. Cardin's office notified reporters that he, too, was adding his name to the measure. Prospects for the legislation remain unclear. It would need 60 Senate votes for approval. Michigan Sen. Carl Levin, chairman of the Armed Services Committee and one of the co-sponsors, has said that it might be more likely that Congress would approve a moratorium on discharges under the 17-year-old law, rather than outright repeal. A total of 8,300 gay service members were discharged between 1999 and 2008 because of the law, according to a report provided to Congress this week by the Department of Defense. Since the law began, some 14,000 servicemen and women have been discharged because of their sexual orientation. In line with President Barack Obama's 2008 campaign promise to change the law, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen have called for repeal of "don't ask, don't tell." But there remains opposition to a shift within the military. The commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James T. Conway, has said the current policy works and should not be changed. Other service chiefs have said they support a Pentagon plan for a study of a possible change. That report is expected to be completed by Dec. 1. Republicans, including Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the party's 2008 presidential nominee, have vowed to fight repeal.

GOP leadership wants DJS secretary to resign

2010-03-04T19:22:30Z

* Updated with responses from the governor and DJS *

Republican lawmakers are calling for the resignation of state Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Donald DeVore, citing his "lack of leadership" of the embattled agency. A teacher was killed at one of the state facilities last month, and a juvenile who'd been housed there is a suspect in the attack.

Del. Anthony J. O'Donnell, minority leader of the House of Delegates, said he had a telephone conversation today with Gov. Martin O'Malley to express his concerns. He also delivered a letter to the Democratic governor. "The governor indicated he was kind of surprised" by the call but appreciated it, O'Donnell said.

Through a spokesman, O'Malley said he has "full confidence" in DeVore.

"Our department is in deep, deep trouble," O'Donnell said at a brief press conference this afternoon at the State House.

O'Donnell singled out as particularly disturbing the death of teacher Hannah Wheeling, 65, at Cheltenham Youth Facility in Prince George's County, and a recent U.S. Department of Justice report about staff-on-juvenile sexual assaults at Backbone Youth Facility in Western Maryland. "This cries out for a leadership change," he said.

DeVore told lawmakers in January that the sexual assault reports were "exaggerated." He has met privately with lawmakers about the killing but has said little publicly, citing the ongoing Maryland State Police investigation.

O'Donnell said DeVore, who has led DJS for three years, typically delivers "a response of denial to just about every criticism leveled" at the agency, though he said DJS under DeVore has made progress in some areas.

This is not the first time O'Donnell has asked DeVore to step down. In July, reacting to reports about escapes and assaults at Victor Cullen Center, another state facility, he wrote an opinion piece, published in The Baltimore Sun, calling for new leadership of DJS:

The Department of Juvenile Services is in chaos and requires a complete overhaul, starting at the top. The administration's actions in this regard should be shared with the public so we can gain some confidence that this problem is being acknowledged and acted upon. It is time for executive leadership and tough decisions at DJS. Our state deserves no less.

~~We are seeking responses from DJS and the governor's office and will update this post when they get back to us.~~ Update: The governor's office has issued this statement:

STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY

Over the past three years, we’ve driven down violent crime in Maryland to its lowest levels since 1987, including a 46% reduction in juvenile homicides. Real progress is not achieved without the right leadership in place at vital public safety agencies including the Department of Juvenile Services. I have full confidence in Secretary DeVore’s leadership of DJS.

Update 2: DJS has this to say (click to read entire statement):

Secretary DeVore's initiative to create unprecedented levels of collaboration with law enforcement, including the Baltimore City Police Department, and other local authorities across the State has made a powerful difference not just in the lives of youth but in communities across Maryland. Secretary DeVore launched a bold vision of reform to make the juvenile justice system work for the youth and citizens of Maryland. This dramatic progress has been no accident.

O'Malley aides have alerted DJS partners to the Republicans' criticism, and agencies appear to be quickly rallying to DeVore's defense:

STATEMENT OF BALTIMORE POLICE COMMISSIONER FREDERICK H. BEALEFELD ON COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE BPD AND MARYLAND DEPT OF JUVENILE SERVICES
"Through our collaborative efforts with the Department of Juvenile Services and our criminal justice partners, Baltimore significantly reduced juvenile violence including a 45% reduction in juvenile homicides."
"This success would not have been possible without the unprecedented level of collaboration and cooperation with the Department of Juvenile Services under Secretary DeVore's leadership. Secretary DeVore is a vital partner in our efforts to keep children in Baltimore safer."

Gansler’s office: Gansler can’t be impeached

2010-03-02T21:57:39Z

Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler’s office came to the conclusion this week that the state’s General Assembly does not have the power to remove Gansler from office.

“The Maryland Constitution explicitly states that a ‘court of law’ is the forum for proceedings to remove an Attorney General,” wrote Gansler’s counsel Dan Friedman in a letter to House Speaker Michael E. Busch. He points to Article V, section 1 of the Constitution.

Friedman then quoted his 2006 book “The Maryland State Constitution: A Reference Guide” ($136.95 on Amazon). “The Attorney General may only be removed by a court proceeding for the specified grounds, not by impeachment by the legislature,” wrote Friedman. As an aside, Friedman wrote the book before he was hired into the AG's office.

Why are we talking about impeaching Gansler? Last week Republican Del. Don Dwyer became angry that the AG issued an opinion saying out-of-state same-sex marriages should be honored here and threatened to begin impeachment proceedings against Gansler. The exchange prompted a candidate for Dwyer's seat to challenge him to a debate.

And Dwyer was outraged today by the letter from Gansler's office.

“I was not surprised to see that Attorney General Gansler opposes his own impeachment,” Dwyer said in a statement. “What is surprising is that Dan Friedman (Council [sic] to the General Assembly) who wrote the letter, refers to the book, Dan Friedman, The Maryland State Constitution: A Reference Guide as the basis for his opinion that the Attorney General may not be impeached or removed by the legislature.”

Marylanders WANT to pay $2.10 for a Miller Lite

2010-03-02T19:01:02Z

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence is touting a new poll that says Marylanders “strongly” support paying more per drink at the pub if the extra tax money goes to help the disabled or addicted.

The group is backing what they call a $0.10 increase per drink to the state’s alcohol tax (the tax would actually be levied at the wholesaler level). The group says the revenues would fund programs for people with disabilities.

They commissioned a poll that says that 80 percent would accept an alcohol tax increase if the new funds pay for programs for the developmentally disabled, 79 percent would support it in exchange for higher funding for mental health, 66 percent want health care expanded to more uninsured Marylanders and 65 percent want more resources for alcohol and drug addiction.

As a gentle warning to our cherished readers who are nodding their heads empathetically while thinking about the priorities enumerated above, please do remember these two words: FUND TRANSFER.

The FUND TRANSFER is a mechanism the General Assembly likes to use when they realize they don’t have enough money for something they really want. Faced with that problem they simply move money from Pot A (programs for the disabled, for example) to Pot B (pick your cause). This year’s $13 billion general fund budget includes $900 million worth of FUND TRANSFERS.

In short, even if a law is passed that said all revenues from an extra dime per drink should fund some cocktail of programs for the disabled, mentally ill, uninsured and developmentally disabled, a simple change could be made to redirect that money to fund an upgrade to the elevators in the Lowe House Office building.

Here is what wouldn’t change: Your ten cent tax on a beer.

Cheers.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner with Cardin?

2010-03-02T13:00:43Z

Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland is listed as one of five hosts at Tuesday evening's fund-raising dinner at the Washington estate of Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV. The event benefits the Democratic Senatorial Committee's "Majority Trust." It's one of several elite donor groups that allows givers, including lobbyists, to schmooze with senators. Both parties do this sort of thing all the time, by the way. In this case, elbows will get rubbed and ears bent over cocktails and dinner at one of the capital's most remarkable locales: a mansion hidden away on a 22-acre patch of prime real estate adjoining Rock Creek Park. All it takes to get in is $30,400 (actually, that's only a suggested contribution; perhaps non-lobbyists can get a discount). The invitation is at the Web site of the non-partisan Sunlight Foundation , which promotes transparency in government and politics.